• Defence Notes

  DSEI 2023: Will UK defence be 'on pause' until the next general election?

  11th September 2023

  The 2023 edition of DSEI will be the last to be held during the current UK Parliament. With an election due within 16 months, is this the ‘end of term’ for the current government, and what are the prospects for the MoD and British defence more widely?

• Air Warfare

  Germany's Pegasus SIGINT jet passes critical milestone

  16th November 2023

  Two years ago, Hensoldt was awarded the contract to supply an airborne system for electronic signals intelligence (SIGINT) on board Bombardier business jets.

• Air Warfare

  China’s J-20 fighter hits milestone with suspected first flight with WS15 engines

  7th July 2023

  The consensus amongst the open-source community is that China has test-flown a J-20 powered fully by WS15 engines for the first time.

• Land Warfare

  US Army conducts live-fire test with LTAMDS

  21st November 2023

  The trial involved the deployment of a cruise missile surrogate which was acquired and tracked by LTAMDS.

• Air Warfare

  Airbus signs French A330 tanker upgrade deals worth $1.7 billion

  23rd October 2023

  Airbus will transform the French Air Force's A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) fleet into a robust high-bandwidth communication relay, starting deliveries in 2028, the European aerospace giant has revealed.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Australian Triton takes to the skies

  14th November 2023

  Australia has ordered four Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton UAS which can operate as an uncrewed maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) alongside the country’s in-service Boeing P-8A MPA fleet.

• Land Warfare

  Pearson integrates AI-driven explosive detector with UAV

  13th December 2023

  Threat-Sense uses AI to identify the presence of ordnance and has been designed to enhance operational decision making in the field or on route.

• Training

  Iran demonstrates improved missiles and tests capabilities and practices as part of two-day exercise

  30th October 2023

  Iran has tested new weapons at the recently concluded Eqtedar 1402 exercise which focused on what the Iranian government described as ‘emerging threats’.

• Defence Notes

  Canada weighs up options to replace equipment sent to Ukraine

  15th November 2023

  Canada has been considering its plans for replacing military equipment donated to Ukraine for its fight against invading Russia forces, including howitzers, tanks, missiles and small arms.

• Defence Notes

  Ireland commits to major equipment procurement schedules

  23rd November 2023

  The Irish Defence Forces has a range of challenges to overcome including discontent in sections of the forces, a need for cultural change, pay rates and equipment shortfalls. An implementation plan released 21 November has, however, provided projected timelines for change and procurement.

• Naval Warfare

  US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian continues protection in the Red Sea

  10th January 2024

  Joint patrolling efforts involving 22 nations shot down Houthi drones and missiles and sunk boats.

• Air Warfare

  Dubai Airshow 2023: Paramount completes first test phase for new composite rotor blades

  16th November 2023

  The composite rotor blades for Mil Mi-type helicopters have been developed by global aerospace and technology company Paramount and partner AAL Group.

• Training

  Indian Army special forces get new vertical wind tunnel for training

  8th November 2023

  The Indian Army's Special Forces Training School (SFTS) has inaugurated its first Vertical Wind Tunnel.

• Naval Warfare

  Ukraine naval forces to be supported by new coalition

  11th December 2023

  On 2 July 2023, two mine countermeasure vessels, Chernihiv (ex-HMS Grimsby) and Cherkasy (ex-HMS Shoreham), were commissioned with the Ukrainian Navy and further development of Ukraine forces will be supported by a new coalition.

• Air Warfare

  Australia increases Ukraine support and deploys Wedgetail to Germany

  30th October 2023

  Australia has committed AUD910 million (US$579 million) to Ukraine after increasing its contribution with the provision of more equipment.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | GlobalEye [France]

  During Paris Air Show 2025, the French Defence Procurement Agency and Saab signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the procurement of two GlobalEye AEW&C; ...

• Data links

  Data links | GlobalEye [France]

  During Paris Air Show 2025, the French Defence Procurement Agency and Saab signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the procurement of two GlobalEye AEW&C; ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | GlobalEye [France]

  During Paris Air Show 2025, the French Defence Procurement Agency and Saab signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the procurement of two GlobalEye AEW&C; ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | GlobalEye [France]

  During Paris Air Show 2025, the French Defence Procurement Agency and Saab signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the procurement of two GlobalEye AEW&C; ...

• ISR/special mission, Maritime patrol

  C295 MPAs/MSAs [Spain]

  Programme Background Required to replace Spain's existing P-3M Orion fleet set to reach OSD in the mid-late 2020s, Airbus' C295W has been selected as the replacement ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | C-390 [Portugal]

  During the Paris Air Show 2025, Embraer and the Portuguese Air Force formalised the procurement of Portugal's sixth C-390 aircraft with the option for ten ...

• Data links

  Data links | C-390 [Portugal]

  During the Paris Air Show 2025, Embraer and the Portuguese Air Force formalised the procurement of Portugal's sixth C-390 aircraft with the option for ten ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | C-390 [Portugal]

  During the Paris Air Show 2025, Embraer and the Portuguese Air Force formalised the procurement of Portugal's sixth C-390 aircraft with the option for ten ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | C-390 [Lithuania]

  On the third day of Paris Air Show 2025, Embraer announced that the C-390 has been selected by Lithuania as the nation's new military transport ...

• Data links

  Data links | C-390 [Lithuania]

  On the third day of Paris Air Show 2025, Embraer announced that the C-390 has been selected by Lithuania as the nation's new military transport ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | C-390 [Lithuania]

  On the third day of Paris Air Show 2025, Embraer announced that the C-390 has been selected by Lithuania as the nation's new military transport ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | C-390 Options [Portugal]

  During the 2025 Paris Air Show, the Portuguese placed a firm order for one C-390 aircraft with the option to acquire 10 additional aircraft for ...

• Data links

  Data links | C-390 Options [Portugal]

  During the 2025 Paris Air Show, the Portuguese placed a firm order for one C-390 aircraft with the option to acquire 10 additional aircraft for ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | C-390 Options [Portugal]

  During the 2025 Paris Air Show, the Portuguese placed a firm order for one C-390 aircraft with the option to acquire 10 additional aircraft for ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  C-390 [Portugal]

  Programme Background Leadership from the Portuguese Air Force and Embraer signed a contract for a sixth C-390, with the option for ten additional aircraft for ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Displays

  LAD2008DA

  Produced by Psion DSP, LAD2008DA is a 20"x8" Large Area Display for full-glass cockpit applications. It was showcased during the 2022 Farnborough Air Show and the 2023 ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Wing Loong X

  The Wing Loong X, or WL-X, is a fixed-wing UAV developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). Debuted at the Paris Air Show ...

• Air: Displays

  RDU-4208 LAD

  ScioTeq RDU-4208 is a 20"x8" Large-Area Display. It features a fully redundant, high-resolution screen with multitouch support. Unveiled in 2022, it was also demonstrated in ...

• Loitering munitions

  SpyX

  The SpyX is a loitering munition from BlueBird Aero Systems. Unveiled at the Paris Air Show 2023, the munition offers autonomous electro-optical guided attack capabilities and ...

• Air: aerial targets, Loitering munitions

  Super Simsek

  The Super Simsek (Süper Şimşek) is an improved version of the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) training drone turned loitering munition.  The drone has reconfigurable payload options ...

• EO/IR systems

  M-19 HD

  The M-19 HD multi-sensor, multispectral, HD observation and targeting payload was unveiled at the Paris Air Show in June 2015. It can incorporate up to ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  Rotary Wing Cargo UAV

  Displayed at Paris Air Show 2023, the Rotary Wing Cargo UAV is a cargo-carrying and ISR drone manufactured by Turkish Aerospace (TAI). Powered by a ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  Orbiter 5

  Unveiled at Paris Air Show 2023, the Orbiter 5 is a fixed-wing UAV from Aeronautics.  The multi-mission drone can host two payloads simultaneously, features autonomous flight and ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Anafi UKR

  Publicly unveiled at the 2025 Paris Air Show, the Anafi UKR is a micro rotary-wing UAV manufactured by Parrot  based on direct field feedback.  According ...

• Loitering munitions

  FWD-LM01

  The FWD-LM01 is a loitering munition unveiled by Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace at the Paris Air Show 2025. The manufacturer states the drone is built for ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Stealth UCAV (nEUROn Successor)

  At the Paris Air Show 2025, Dassault Aviation showcased a stealthy UCAV, the successor of the nEUROn aircraft. A Safran M88 engine will power the ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  Strix 425

  The Strix 425 is a mini fixed-wing drone from EOS Technologie. The hand-launched platform can host a removable VTOL system and multiple payloads.  According to a company ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  LR2M

  The Long Range and Multi-Missions (LR2M) is a fixed-wing VTOL-capable small UAV from Aeronefs Services. Unveiled at the Paris Air Show 2025, the drone is suited to ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  AeroForce 380

  The AeroForce 380 is a MALE fixed-wing drone. Based on the Milkor 380, it is tailored for maritime surveillance and Coast Guard missions. It can ...

• Air: COMINT and ELINT systems

  Air Keeper

  Elbit Systems unveiled the Air Keeper, an airborne SIGINT and EW system for aircraft at the Paris Air Show 2015. Already operational, Air Keeper is ...